Golf bag carrier



Aug 13, 1946., A. M. SCHLIWA ETAL.

GOLF BAG CARRIER Filed Sept. 1, 1945 A TTORA/EVS.

Patented Aug. 13, 1946 2,405,674 GOLF BAG CARRIER;

Adolph Schliwa, Milwaukee, and Frank E. Anderson, Wauwatosa, Wis.

Application September 1, 1945, Serial No. 614,044

12 Claims. (01.. 280-34) Our invention relates in general to improve-- ments in devices for facilitating the transportation of golf bags or the like, and relates more specifically to improvements in the construction and operation of collapsible wheel-supported golf bag carriers or carts.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful carrier for golf bags and similar articles, which is simplein construction, eflicient in operation, and which may be readily collapsed into compact formation when not in actual use.

Many different types of devices for facilitating the transportation of club-laden golf bags over golf links in order to dispense with caddy service, have heretofore been proposed, but all of these prior assemblages have been. objectionable for diverse reasons. Most of the prior golf bag carriers are relatively complicated and costly, while many of them are also too bulky and cumbersome to manipulate. Others of the prior golf bag carts are too frail to withstand rough travel and usage, while still others cannot be conveniently applied to various types and sizes of golf club housing, bags. Then too, a majority of the prior olf bag transports cannot be quickly and readily collapsed or adjusted to occupy minimum space about the bags when not in use, and must therefore be removed from the bags and stored ortransported separately when traveling to and from the links. The prior bag carrying devices have therefore failed to become popular with golfers for one reason or another, mainly because of the lack of flexibility in adaptation and due to difficulties encountered in their actual use. It is therefore a more specific object of our present invention to provide a new and useful golf bag carrying assemblage which obviates all of the above mentioned diificulties and objections, and which effectively meets the various requirements demanded of such devices.

Another specific object of this invention is to provide an improved golf bag cart which is relatively simple and inexpensive,- and which is also light but durable and readily manipulable by .a-

novice.

A further specific object of the invention is'to provide an improved golf bag transport having sufiicient strength to withstand rough usage, and which may be conveniently and neatly applied to various sizes and styles of golf bags.

Still another specific object of our invention is to provide an improved wheel mounted golf,

club carrier which may be readily collapsed or adjusted about the. associated bag so as to. occupy minimum space when not in use, but which may also be just as quickly distended for normal use I so as to provide an effective and stable support for the bag.

vAn additional specific object of the present invention .is 'to provide an improved golfv bag mounting device which may be manufactured from. relatively standard material andparts at comparatively low cost, and which also presents a neat and highly finished appearance.

These and other specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from. the following detailed description.

A clear conceptionof the features constituting our present improvement, andof the mode of constructing and of utilizing a typical golf bag carrier embodying the invention, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig.1 is a fragmentary rear view of a typical assembled and fully distended golf bag carrier embodying the invention, the assemblage being ready for the reception of aclub ladenbag;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary central longitudinal vertical section through the assembled and distended carrier of Fig. v1, showing a typical golf bag in dot-and-dash lines, clamped to the carrier frame;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the assembled and distended carrier of Figs. 1 and 2, showing a golf bag likewise applied, but having the rear supporting prop and both wheels adjusted closer to the bag; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary central longitudinal vertical sectionv similar to that of Fig. 2, but showing the carrier assemblage in collapsed condition as when not in use for bag transportation purposes.

While the invention has been shown and described herein as havingbeen applied to a wheeled cart cooperating with a particular" type of golf bag and constructed of relatively standard materials and parts, it is not our desire or intent to unnecessarily restrict the improvement by virtue of this specific typical. embodiment.

Referring to the drawing, the improved golf bag carrier illustrated therein, comprises in general a rigid skeleton frame composed primarily of a pair of L-shaped side bars I the upright portions of which, are rigidly interconnected by an a U-shaped manipulating handle by a transverse pipe or axle receiving tube l and a pair of transverse platform plates l I, the latter having a longitudinally extending pipe l2 firmly secured to the medial portions thereof; a pair of frame supporting wheels [3 journalled for rotation upon the outer extremities of axles I l which are slidably adjustably confined within the opposite end portions of the bearing tube Ill; l5 having mounting sleeves I6 rigidly attached to its opp site ends and swingably engaging the outer ends of the upper rod 8; an L-shaped supporting prop I! one end of which is providedwith a bearing shoe l8 and the other elongated leg of which is slidably adjustable within the pipe. l2; a lower bag clamp I 9 embracing and mounted for adjustment along the prop l1 and having a bag engaging plate 2!] at its upper end; and .a pair of similar upper bag clamping plates- 2| each carried by a vertically adjustable clamping bracket 22 slidably associatedwith the upright portion of an adjacent frame bar I.

The L-shaped side bars 1 of the main skeleton frame are of interchangeably similar construction and may be formed of standard square section rod stock; and the transverse rod 8, braces 9, tube l0, and plates H maybe rigidly attachedto the side bars 1 in any suitablemanner as by welding. The upper pivot rod 8 may also be formed of rstandard square section rod stock, and the transverse braces 9 may be formed of standard flat bar stock, while the tube 1 0 may be cut from a length of standard pipe. The medial portions of the platform plates H are distorted to form alined saddles within which the pipe i2 is firmly secured; and these plates may likewise be formed of flat bar stock, while the pipe l2 may be produced from a length of standard pipe the same as that used in the formation of the tube H]. An extremely durable but light bag suppprting frame is thus provided, which may be conveniently formed of standard-bar, plate and pipe stock.

The wheels l3 may be of well known and relatively standard disk formation, having pneumatic tires and the usual ball bearings associated with the outer ends of their supporting agcles l4, and these axles l4 may also be formed of standard round section bar stock and are snugly slidable Within the bearing tube 'lil. The wheels l3 are adjustable from innermost or collapsed position near the main frame as shown in Fig. 3, to outermost or distended position remote from the main frame as indicated in Fig. l, by merely sliding the wheel axles l4 within the'tube Ill; and the axles I4 may be locked in various positions of adjustment by means of standard thumb screws 23 having screw thread coaction with the frame side bars I and with the tube-ill,

The U-shaped manipulating handle may again be formed of standard bar or rod'stock having either square or round cross-section; and the ends of this bail-shaped handle may be welded to the bushings l6 which may likewise be formed of standard piping, and are rotatable about the square sectioned upper rod 8. The handle may be swung from collapsed or inactive position as shown in Fig. 4, to distended or active position as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and is adapted to be locked in the several positions of adjustment by means of standard thumb screws 24 having screw thread coaction with the handle ends and the adjoining bushingsjlfi. r

i The L-shaped prop ,l'l may also be formed of standard square sectioned rod stock, while the shoe 18 may be formed of standard angle iron and may be welded to the lower extremity of this prop. The elongated square shank of the prop I1 is snugly slidable for adjustment within the pipe 12, and may be locked in various positions of adjustment with the aid of another standard thumb screw 25 which may be caused to coact with a stop pin 26 in order-to prevent the prop H from being pulled entirely out of the pipe l2.

When the prop I1 is in collapsed or inactive position, it may be disposed closely adjacent to and ointing upwardly with respect to the main frame,..as shown in Fig. 4; but when the prop I1 is in use, it will normally be pointed downwardly as in Figs. 1 and 2, and may be set various distances from the bag supporting frame. The prop I? when distended or in active position, co-

acts with the distended or outwardly adjusted wheels 13 to provide an extended and stable three-point support for the cart. 7

The lower bag clamp I9 may be formed from a standard eye-bolt or of standard bar stock, and the clamping plate 2'0 may be formed of standard flat bar stock and may be welded to the shank of the clamp I9. The eye of the clamp is is adjustable along the elongated horizontal portion of the brace l1, and the clamp may be locked in various positions of adjustment by means of still another standard thumb screw 21 coacting with the clamp eye and with the square prop ii. The upper bag clamps are also of interchangeably similar construction and the clamping plates 2! thereof may be formed of standard flat bar stock while the brackets 22 may be standard eye bolts. The eyes of the brackets 22 are vertically adjustable along theirame bars I, and are adapted to be clamped in various positions of adjustment bymeans of standard wing nuts 28. These lower and upper clamps may therefore be adjusted to fit and to clampingly engage various types of golf bags 29 of different heights or lengths.

The entire golf bag carrier may obviously be readily constructed at moderate cost from standard material and parts with the aid 'of a few simple dies, and the standard disk wheels l3 are also readily available. As indicated hereinabove, various parts including the several wheels l3, axles l4, platform plates I H, upper clamps'2l, 22, 28, and thumb screws 23, 2'4, 25',

When it becomes desirable'to apply a golf bag 29 to the improved carrier cart, the wheels 13, prop l1, and handle l5 may be distended or positioned as shown in Figs. '1 and 2, whereupon the bag 29 may be positioned upon the platform plates I l and against the upright portions of the frame bars I as illustrated. The lower clamping plate 29 may then be applied to the bottom of the bag 29 and locked in place with the aid of the thumb screw 21, and the upper clamping plates 28 may also be applied to the upper rim of the bag 29 and locked in clamping engagement with the bag rim with the aid of the wing nuts 28. The thumb screws 2 3,,24, 25

should of course be manipulated to lock the 5. wheels [3, handle l5, and prop IT in distended oractive position before the bag 29 is applied, whereupon the cart may either be tilted and pulled along the ground, or set in vertical position as depicted in the drawing.

If the carrier and bag assembly is to be stored ortransported from the zone of normal use, the cart structure may be readily collapsed as illustrated in Fig. l, so that the various parts will substantially hug the bag 29 and will occupy minimum additional space. Such collapsing of the. carrier assembly may be effected by loosening the thumb screws 23 and by pushing the wheels. l-3 inwardly as shownin Fig. 3, and thereafter again tightening the screws 23'; by releasing the thumb screws 24' and swinging the handle l5 rearwardly over the bag 2e, and there after re-tightening the screws 24; and by finally releasing the thumb screws 25, 2'7 and by reversing and pushing the prop l1 forwardly as far as possible, and thereafter tightening the screws 25, 21. The carrier may thus be permitted to remain fixed to the bag with relatively slight obstruction or enlargement of the collapsed assemblag'e, but the cart is constantly available for rapid and effective use.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be apparent that our invention provides an improved golf bag carrier which is simple, compact and durable in construction, highly efiicient in use, and flexible in its adaptations. The improved cart may obviously be readily collapsed for compact storage with the bag applied thereto, or distended for normal use; and while the carriage is relatively light, it is still exceedingly strong and rugged. The improved golf bag transport may also be conveniently adjusted to fit different styles and sizes of golf bags 29, and besides being easy to transport, the assemblage provides a stable base having widespread threepoint contact. The improved bag transporting device may obviously be manufactured and sold at moderate cost because of its fabrication from standard materials and parts, and has proven highly satisfactory in actual use.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention to the exact details of construction or to the precise mode of operation and use, herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the appended claims, may occur to persons skilled in the art.

Weclaim:

1. A golf bag carrier comprising, a frame having opposite L-shaped side bars interconnected by an upper transverse rod and lower platform plates, wheels disposed on opposite sides of said frame and being adjustable toward and away from said side bars, a supporting prop adjustable toward and away from said platform plates midway between said side bars, and means for detachably clamping a golf bag to said frame with the bag bottom resting upon said plates.

2. A golf bag carrier comprising, a frame having opposite L-shaped side bars interconnected by an upper transverse rod and lower platform plates, wheels disposed on opposite sides of said frame and being adjustable toward and away from said side bars, a supporting prop adjustable toward and away from said platform plates midway between said side bars, and means for detachably clamping a golf bag to said frame with the bag bottom resting upon said plates, said wheels and said prop being disposable closely adjacent to the bottom of the bag.

3. A golf bag carrier comprising, a frame hav- 6. ing opposite L-shaped side bars interconnected by an upper transverse rod and lower platform plates, a handle pivotally suspended from said rodand being swingable forwardly and rearwardly of said frame bars, wheels disposed on opposite. sides of said frame and being adjustable toward and away from said side bars, a supporting prop adjustable toward and away from said platform plates midway between said side bars, and means for detachably clamping a golf bag to said frame. with the bag bottom resting upon said plates.

4. A golf bag carrier comprising, a frame having opposite L-shaped side bars rigidly interconnected at their bends by a tube and at their opposite end portions respectively by an upper ransverse rod and a lower transverse platform plate, wheels on opposite sides of said frame having axles slidably adjustable within said tube, a supporting prop adjustable toward and away from said platform plate between said side bars, and means for detachably clamping a golf'bag to said frame near said red and'platform plate.

5. A golf bag carrier comprising, a frame having opposite L.-shaped side bars'rigidly interconnected at their bends by a tube and at their opposite end portions respectively by an upper transverse rod and a lower transverse platform plate, wheels on opposite sides of said frame having axles slidably adjustable within said tube, a supporting prop adjustable toward and away from said platform plate between said side bars, and means for detachably clamping a golf bag to said frame near said rod and platform plate, said wheels and said prop being adjustable for disposition closely adjacent to the bottom of the golf bag.

6. A golf bag carrier comprising, a frame having opposite L-shaped side bars rigidly interconnected at their bends by a tube and at their opposite end portions respectively by an upper transverse rod and a lower transverse platform plate, a handle pivotally suspended from said rod and being swingable forwardly and rearward- 1y of said frame bars, wheels on opposite sides of said frame having axles slidably adjustable within said tube, a supporting prop adjustable toward and away from said platform plate between said side bars, and means for detachably clamping a golf bag to said frame near said rod and platform plate, said wheels and said prop being adjustable for disposition closely adjacent to the bottom of the golf bag.

'7. A golf bag carrier comprising, a skeleton frame having a bag supporting platform and a front upright portion, a tube rigidly secured to said frame at the lower end of said upright portion, wheels having axles slidably adjustable within said tube, a pipe secured to said platform and extending rearwardly away from said upright frame portion, a prop slidable within and reversible relative to said pipe, and means for detachably clamping a golf bag to said platform and upright frame portion.

8. A golf ba carrier comprising, a skeleton frame having a bag supporting platform and a front upright portion, a tube rigidly secured to said frame at the lower end of said upright portion, wheels having axles slidably adjustable within said tube, a pipe secured to said platform and extending rearwardly away from said upright frame portion,'a pro slidable within and reversible relative to said pipe, and means for detachably clampin a golf bag to said platform and upright frame portion, said Wheels and said prop 7. being adjustable for disposition closely adjacent to the bottom of the golf bag.

9. A golf bag carrier. comprising, a skeleton frame having a bag supporting platform and a front upright portion, a handle pivotally suspended from the upper end of said upright portion and being swingable forwardly and rearxvardly thereof, a tube rigidly secured to said frame at the lower end of said upright portion, wheels havin axles slidably adjustable within said tube, a pipe secured to said platform and extending rearwardly away from said upright frame portion, a prop slidable within and reversible relative to said pipe, and means for detachably clampinga golf bag to said platform and upright frame portion.

10. A golf bag carrier comprising, an L-shaped frame having a horizontal platform and an upright portion at one end of the platform, a transverse tube secured to said frame at said platform end, a pipe secured to said platform and extendin away from said tube, wheels having axles slidably adjustable along said tube, a prop having a shank slidably adjustable along said pipe, and golf bag clamps associated with said platform and upright frame portion respectively.

11. A golf bag carrier comprising, an L-shaped frame having a horizontal platform and an upright portion at one end of the platform, a transverse tube secured to said frame at said platformend, a pipe secured to said platform and extending away from said tube, wheels having axles slidably adjustable along said tube, a prop having a shank slidably adjustable along said pipe, golf bag clamp associated with said platform and upright frame portion respectively, and a handle pivotally associated with the upper end of said upright frame portion and being swingable over said platform when not in use.

12.-A golf bag carrier comprising, an L-shaped frame having a horizontal platform and upright side posts at an end of the platform rigidly interconneeted at their upper ends by a polygonal bar, a transverse tube secured to said frame at the lower ends of said posts, a circular pipe secured to said platform and extending away from the medial portion of said tube, wheels having axles slidably adjustable within said tube, a prop having a polygonal shank slidabl; and rotatably adjustable within said pipe, lower golf bag clamp adjustable along said prop shank toward and away from said platform, upper golf bag clamps adjustable along said posts, and a handle pivoted on said upper bar and being swingably adjustable on opposite sides of said posts.

ADOLPH M. SCI-ILIWA. FRANK E. ANDERSON. 

